Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1887-05-05

new repr sentative Of the people had he
was know 4 to have sprung from the 50 called
upper rank Of life he was person Of the
highest culture, and OF wide knowledge Of
men. At the same time there was an air
about him that somewhat warned OH the
commonplace and the vulgar curious from
approaching him Familiarity. In brief, be
was not one on whom you would advance
without an introduction. and say in our frank
and beautiful American way:
@Say, mister, what might your business
beY'
He lost his first election through a small
circumstance he ordered a broiled beef
steak at a little rustic wayside inn. His oppo-
nent got wind of it and played it upon a
thousand strings, till the Independent voters
rose to man and said:
"We'n have no sich stuck up 'ristacrat
holdin' Office in this deestrick. A man that
fried beefsteak amt good enough fur, amt
| good cnuf fur us. Let him 60 somewhere
else with them mOnarchial ideesl"
This unlucky mistake was, however, for
given him in time. He possessed splendid
ability; he was true as steel. He had clear,
| high minded scorn of crooked ways and
political dickering that worked against him
at first In time, though, as always, this
very quality counted in his favor, and then
he had all bis own way. More than all, the
new man was q matchless orator. HecarTied
mems hearts in his hand by the power OF his
eloquence.
Shirley had heard Of him frequently, and
he of her Their two atmospheres had wild
ened and widened till at last they touched.
II hear" said her brother Robert one day,
"that your great Congressman Dumoray is
to speak tomorrow. Do you know him,
Shirley"
II met him-once, some years ago, answered
Shirley calmly.
HYour people seem to be losing their heads
about him. Is he such great things as they
say?"
II don't know" Shirley answered, still
more calmly II don't know enough about
him to say. That awful reverence for Off
cials, even the highest, that some people have,
in a general way never did feel, and never
expect to-"
"Why"
"Why9 Because l know how they are
made.n
Philip Dumoray had gone back to his west
ern home and plunged into political life Its
feverish excitements its very hazards and
wild uncertainties suited him. On his side,
too, there was something to be overlived, a
burning heartache, a haunting pain and re-
gret that must be deadened ere peace came
again The very knowledge that, in political
life, to-day he might be upon the crest of the
top wave of popular favor and tomorrow in
the trough of the sea, drew him strongly. 1t
gave him intense and constant mental occu-
patton. He welcomed it as one in fever well
comes the cool, salt breeze from the sea-
He could dispose of his life as he pleased.
He had only himself to think of. AS be-
tween his fate and Shirley's he had far the
best of it.
Philip Dumoray was the champion Of a
new movement in American politics, move
ment which has for its aim the rights of man
as the fathers meant them when they founded
this government. The simple announcement
that he was to speak drew great throng to
the house.
The galleries were crowded with ladies,
many of them in bright dresses and hats, con-
trasting finely with the dark habit of their
escorts. Dumoray was to present great
memorial from the people to their representa-
tives in congress. There was a buzz Of ex-
pectation as the hand of the hall clock pointed
to the hour.
Shirley sat in her place, the faithful Eng
lish brother by her side. A man entered
quietly, tall and commanding, of superb
physical presence and perfect grace of man
ner.
The buzz broke into a volume of sound
Shirleys eyes swan in mist. Her heart
throbs came thick and fast. She clutched
the wood of the seat till it made her hand
ache, afterwards. She sat as motionless and
silent as if she had been marble.
| Ah!-
He fascinated her still, and so many years
had passed that at last this weak minded
woman had quite forgiven him.
He smiled and bowed to those about him,
and then sat down grave and little pale
perhaps, but quiet and at ease. Shirley saw
him plainly His hair was white now, thick
and clustering still, yet snow white. But the
strangely brilliant dark gray eyes were the
same, the lofty, ideal face turned toward the
throng was the same. High, generous
thought and deed keep the human face for
ever beautiful.
He sat and looked straight before him. A
hand touched his arm. Some notes and dis
patches were given him. One of the notes
read:
"Permit an old friend to congratulate you
very sincerely, and to wish you success.
OHlRIE1 CAhSTONE.
Then it was the turn of somebody else to
start, with a great heart beat, and as sud-
denly fall back into stiffness.
He folded the little white paper smoothly
and put it into his breast pocket. II his hand
trembled slightly, nobody knew it. The
shining, eagle-like glance roamed over the
galleries aimlessly, it seemed, but in reality
looking for her who was still the one woman
of all the world to Philip Dumoray.
He found her. 1t may be that some subtle
soul telegraph sent messages from her to him.
1t may be that the invisible silver line be-
tween them had never been broken, in spite
of all and of all these years.
A silent, thrilling look of recognition passed
between the two. 1t was only for an instant,
and none saw it but themselves Yet in that
lightning flash there was inspiration for him,
there was-God knows what for her. She
could not have told herself, only that she saw
him once morc.
Dumoray had never spoken before as he
did that day.
They said his speech was such that it car
ried even those who were opposed to him of
their feet
He was master in the use Of simple, direct
Anglo-Saxon, and at the same time his
language was perfect in its grace and polish.
His voice was a ringing music; every sentence
told like a hammer stroke. His speech
: stirred the blood and thrilled the heart. II
was one of those marvellous orations to which
!. the scholar and the unlettered man listened
with like enthusiasm.